Experiencing vaginismus—suffers' beliefs about causes and effects

Abstract

The present study examined the experience of vaginismus in 89 sufferers and ex-sufferers using quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The results provide insights into the effects of vaginismus a the sufferers' self-perception and on their relationships with important others. It is suggested that vaginismus should not be regarded as a psychosexual problem but as a psychosocial experience in which defences have been created to protect the self, and that the vaginal spasm W only one of the many effects of this defence. © 1994, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.